The New Year has begun, and Aesthetica is looking forward to 12 more months of exciting opportunities for artists, creatives, filmmakers and writers. Whether highlighting standout work in art, design and photography or creating space for emerging voices in literature and film, the year ahead is set to be a great one. With fresh programmes and events on the way, Aesthetica remains dedicated to fostering and uplifting creative talent across a wide range of practices. This is a moment to seek out new ideas, connect with the creative community and continue expanding the boundaries of artistic expression.
The acclaimed bi-monthly magazine invites readers into the constantly shifting landscape of contemporary art and culture. Every issue showcases a thoughtfully curated lineup of pioneering architects, artists, designers, and photographers, highlighting both rising talents and influential figures defining today’s creative scene. The publication features the season’s unmissable exhibitions and offers insightful reviews of notable films, books, and music. Aesthetica Magazine remains an indispensable guide for discovering emerging creatives and keeping pace with the newest ideas in art and design.
Aesthetica hosts a BAFTA-qualifying, internationally renowned film festival. In 2026, it returns for its 16th year from 4–8 November. Its expansive programme features hundreds of screenings across comedy, drama, documentary, experimental, family-friendly and thriller genres, alongside dedicated VR and Games Labs and a UK-first Podcasting Lounge. The festival also hosts leading figures from the creative industries for masterclasses and workshops, offering unparalleled insight into their craft. Past speakers have included delegates from Aardman, BBC Films, Film4, The New York Times and Ridley Scott Associates.
Aesthetica Creative Writing Award
The Creative Writing Award draws thousands of submissions from around the globe each year, offering a remarkable platform for uncovering today’s most compelling new literary voices. Each shortlist is brought together in a published anthology featuring 60 short stories and poems, showcasing inventive viewpoints and confident, imaginative storytelling. The collection spans a wide spectrum of themes and forms, making it essential reading for anyone who cherishes contemporary writing. The anthology reflects Aesthetica’s continued dedication to nurturing creativity and championing emerging writers within the literary world.
Aesthetica Art Prize
The Aesthetica Art Prize celebrates 20 years of spotlighting forward-thinking and risk-taking creatives in 2026. The prize will once again introduce audiences to a new generation of international artists whose work questions familiar narratives and addresses urgent contemporary themes. It is open to submissions across painting, drawing, video, sculpture, installation, performance, photography and digital art. The annual exhibition of shortlisted artists will be held at York Art Gallery in the summer, inviting visitors to encounter some of the most engaging and provocative artworks being made today.
Call for Entries
Across the year, creatives have the chance to participate in film festivals, art and writing competitions, earning recognition and advancing their careers. Submissions are now open for writers and filmmakers, with the Art Prize welcoming entries in the coming year. These events celebrate outstanding work from both emerging and established talent. Participants join a distinguished network of alumni who have gone on to receive prestigious honours such as the Prix Elysée, FOAM Talent, the Jarman Award, Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize, Sony World Photography Awards, the T. S. Eliot Prize and the Forward Prize.
Aesthetica Film Festival & Creative Writing Awards are Open for Entries Now. Submit Your Work.
